Current:Home > FinanceThe pandas at the National Zoo are going back to China earlier than expected: What to know -Insightful Finance Hub
The pandas at the National Zoo are going back to China earlier than expected: What to know
View
Date:2025-04-27 11:42:16
The pandas at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. will be returning to China sooner than expected, according to a tweet from the zoo that said they'll be headed back in mid-November.
The pandas were originally expected to leave by early December, according to a news release from the zoo. But a tweet from the zoo moved that deadline up, in line with a three-year contract the zoo has with the China Wildlife Conservation.
Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji's departure comes after zoos in Memphis and San Diego have already returned their pandas to China. The Atlanta Zoo pandas Ya Lun and Xi Lun will go back at the beginning of 2024, according to a news release by the zoo.
When that happens, it will be the first time since 1972 the U.S. will not have pandas.
Why are the pandas leaving?
In 1972, the U.S. was given its first panda by China, after President Richard Nixon normalized relations with China. The gift of pandas from China was a practice that some have dubbed "panda diplomacy."
Negotiations between the zoo and China to extend the contract have yet to be successful, amid talk from "China-watchers" that Beijing is slowly pulling its pandas from Western nations due to declining relations with the U.S. and other countries, according to AP. Britain will also lose its pandas from the Edinburgh Zoo in December due to new contracts not being renewed, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland said.
Where can you say your goodbyes to pandas in the U.S.?
The Washington D.C National Zoo offers free entry passes, according to their website. The passes allow entry from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The zoo also has a 24-hour live stream called the Giant Panda Cam, where you can switch between two cameras and view all three pandas living in their enclosure.
The Atlanta Zoo pandas Ya Lun and Xi Lun will be here until the beginning of next year. People can buy tickets on the zoo's website and view their Panda Cam to say their final goodbyes.
Includes reporting from The Associated Press
veryGood! (19761)
Related
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Biting Remarks
- 'Critical safety gap' between Tesla drivers, systems cited as NHTSA launches recall probe
- Houston Texans WR Tank Dell suffers minor injury in Florida shooting
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Hailey Bieber Has Surprising Reaction to Tearful Photo of Husband Justin Bieber
- Early in-person voting begins ahead of Georgia’s May 21 primary and judicial elections
- This congresswoman was born and raised in Ukraine. She just voted against aid for her homeland
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Tornadoes leave a trail of destruction in Oklahoma, communities begin to assess damage
Ranking
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Teen dead, child and officer injured in 3 shootings in South Carolina’s smallest county
- Two more people sentenced for carjacking and kidnapping an FBI employee in South Dakota
- 4 dead in Oklahoma as tornadoes, storms blast Midwest; more severe weather looms
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Prince Harry Returning to the U.K. 3 Months After Visiting King Charles III
- AIGM AI Security: The New Benchmark of Cyber Security
- Taylor Swift sings about giving away her 'youth for free' on new album. Many know her pain.
Recommendation
Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
150th Run for the Roses: The history and spectacle of the Kentucky Derby
Beyoncé and Blue Ivy Carter to Star in Lion King Prequel: All the Buzzworthy Details
Train carrying fuel derails at Arizona-New Mexico state line, causes interstate closure
As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
A woman might win the presidency of Mexico. What could that mean for abortion rights?
Caitlin Clark 'keeps the momentum rolling' on first day of Indiana Fever training camp
Oregon authorities to reveal winner of $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot